Jan. 18, 2008

Springfield, MA - The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will host a book signing on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m. Author Neil Swidey will be on hand to sign copies of his new book THE ASSIST: Hoops, Hope, and the Game of Their Lives, along with Jack O'Brien, the coach whose story is chronicled in the book. O'Brien led the Charlestown (Mass.) High School boy's basketball team to a record-breaking five state titles in six years. The signing will take place on the concourse outside the Museum Store.

During the 2008 Spalding Hoophall Classic, legendary coach Bob Hurley and bestselling "Miracle of St. Anthony" author Adrian Wojnarowski will join Neil Swidey and Jack O'Brien for a roundtable discussion about coaching kids and writing. The discussion will take place during the Hoophall Classic on Monday, January 21. The forum will take place at 12:30 p.m. in the wrestling room in Blake Arena at Springfield College. It will be moderated by Ken Cerino of Western New England College. For more info, visit www.theassist.net.

Swidey latest book, THE ASSIST: Hoops, Hope, and the Game of Their Lives, has been featured on NBC's Today Show and excerpted by ESPN.com.

Admission to the book signing at the Basketball Hall of Fame is free. Tickets for the High School Invitational (Friday, Saturday & Monday) are $10 adult and $8 students. Tickets for Sunday are $12 adult and $10 students. Big Y World Class Market once again offers a $2 discount by calling the Hall of Fame in advance, or by showing a Big Y Express Savings Club Card at the door.